What is Bi-Polar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of mania (elevated or irritable mood) and depression (low mood). During a manic episode, a person with bipolar disorder may feel extremely energetic, have racing thoughts, and engage in risky or impulsive behaviors. During a depressive […]
What Is Mental Health?
The WHO (World Health Organization) defines mental health as a “state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” They go on to describe mental health “as an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our […]
Understanding Childhood Trauma And How It Impacts Adulthood
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, childhood trauma is defined as: “The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” However, what qualifies as trauma is an opinion that can change over time. A positive way to objectively define […]
How Does Stigma Affect Mental Health Treatment?
In recent years, there has been a transformation in the public discourse surrounding therapy. Once a secret shame or punchline, counseling is now increasingly accepted as a vital tool in maintaining mental health and overcoming periods of emotional adversity. Still, even as attitudes change, stigma surrounding seeking mental health care keeps far too many people […]
What is Good Mental Health Anyway?
As conversations about mental health become increasingly, thankfully, more mainstream, it’s more important than ever to get clear on the language we use to discuss it. What’s “good” mental health anyway? Here are some necessary definitions before we get down to answering that question. Mental Health and Mental Illness According to the CDC, mental health […]
It Shouldn’t Be Hard To Talk About Mental Health. Here’s Why
Even in times of extreme adversity, talking about mental health still holds some stigma. It is still far too common for those struggling mentally or emotionally to feel the need to ignore their hardships and put on a brave face. In other instances, those who make the leap to find care may simply not know […]
